An attractive combination of brown, red, and green enamels unite three different birds--the robin, chaffinch, and goldfinch--into an harmonious composition in this matching plate and mug set from Brownhills' bird series. Both pieces are transfer printed in brown against Brownhills ivory body.  The standard format of this series separates the letters from the feathered friends with a bold diagonal stripe. The dramatic placement of the diagonal as well as the pattern on the stripe itself testify to a Japanese influence characteristic of the period.  

All of the Brownhills a-b-c pieces are desirable, however the mugs are much more scarce than the plates. A moment's consideration of childrens' table habits will provide an explanation. This is only the third time we have had the opportunity of offering a plate with its matching mug. The enamel colors of this set coordinate beautifully.